A diffusion media and micro-porous media combination for a fuel cell. A diffusion layer is composed of a diffusion media and has a first (electrode) side and an opposite second (flowfield) side, wherein at least one of the first and second sides has a geometric pattern formed therein comprising a multiplicity of mutually spaced apart regions. A micro-porous media fills the multiplicity of regions and a micro-porous layer composed of the micro-porous media is continuously applied to the first surface.